On two models in the three-dimensional theory of stability of composites

A comparative analysis is made of the infinite-fiber and finite-fiber models in the three-dimensional theory of stability of composites. The results analyzed have been obtained using the three-dimensional linearized theory of stability of deformable bodies. A historical sketch is given of the theory of stability for and approaches used in the mechanics of laminated and fibrous composite materials Translated from Prikladnaya Mekhanika, Vol. 44, No. 8, pp. 3–31, August 2008.     

The Three-Dimensional Theory of Stability of Fibrous and Laminated Materials

An analysis is made of the results of investigations into the internal and surface instability of fibrous and laminated composites within the framework of the piecewise-homogeneous model and the equations of the three-dimensional linearized theory of stability. The possible buckling modes of the reinforcing elements in composites with either an elastic (polymeric) or elastoplastic (metallic) matrix are studied. The reliability domains of applied approximate design models are determined and some applications of results on fracture (due to structural instability) of unidirectional composites are presented     

Setting up a theory of stability of fibrous and laminated composites

The results obtained in setting up a theory of stability of fibrous and laminated composites in the case where the plane Π is in an arbitrary position are analyzed. The plane Π is formed by the points of a buckling mode that have equal phases relative to the line of compression. This theory follows from the linearized three-dimensional theory of stability of deformable bodies and is used to determine the critical compressive load and the associated position of the plane Π. Numerical examples are presented. A brief historical sketch is given     

Three-dimensional free vibration analysis of rotating laminated conical shells: layerwise differential quadrature (LW-DQ) method

This paper focuses on the free vibration analysis of thick, rotating laminated composite conical shells with different boundary conditions based on the three-dimensional theory, using the layerwise differential quadrature method (LW-DQM). The equations of motion are derived applying the Hamilton’s principle. In order to accurately account for the thickness effects, the layerwise theory is used to discretize the equations of motion and the related boundary conditions through the thickness of the shells. Then, the equations of motion as well as the boundary condition equations are transformed into a set of algebraic equation applying the DQM in the meridional direction. This study demonstrates the applicability, accuracy, stability and the fast rate of convergence of the present method, for free vibration analyses of rotating thick laminated conical shells. The presented results are compared with those of other shell theories obtained using conventional methods and a special case where the angle of the conical shell approaches zero, that is, a cylindrical shell and excellent agreements are achieved.     

A C<Superscript>0</Superscript>-type zig–zag theory and finite element for laminated composite and sandwich plates with general configurations

In order to conveniently develop C⁰ continuous element for the accurate analysis of laminated composite and sandwich plates with general configurations, this paper develops a C⁰-type zig–zag theory in which the interlaminar continuity of transverse shear stresses is a priori satisfied and the number of unknowns is independent of the number of layers. The present theory is applicable not only to the cross-ply but also to the angle-ply laminated composite and sandwich plates. On the premise of retaining the merit of previous zig–zag theories, the derivatives of transverse displacement have been taken out from the displacement fields. Therefore, based on the proposed zig–zag theory, it is very easy to construct the C⁰ continuous element. To assess the performance of the proposed model, the classical quadratic six-node triangular element with seven degrees of freedom at each node is presented for the static analysis of laminated composite and sandwich plates. The typical examples are taken into account to assess the performance of finite element based on the proposed zig–zag theory by comparing the present results with the three-dimensional elasticity solutions. Numerical results show that the present model can produce the more accurate deformations and stresses compared with the previous zig–zag theories.     

功能梯度材料平面问题的辛弹性力学解法

将辛弹性力学解法推广用于功能梯度材料平面问题的分析,考虑沿长度方向弹性模量为指数函数变化而泊松比为常数的矩形域平面弹性问题,给出了具体的求解步骤. 提出了移位Hamilton矩阵的新概念,建立起相应的辛共轭正交关系;导出了对应特殊本征值的本征解,发现材料的非均匀特性使特殊本征解的形式发生明显的变化.      

Analysis of laminated glass beams for photovoltaic applications

Laminated glass beams and plates are widely used in glazing and photovoltaic applications. One feature of these structures is a relatively thin and compliant polymeric layer for embedding solar cells. Proper design of photovoltaic glass modules requires an analysis of transverse shear strain distribution in polymeric encapsulant. In this paper a three layered beam with glass skins and a polymeric core is applied as a model structure to evaluate the mechanical properties. Robust relationships between the maximum deflection, the transverse shear strain of the core layer and the applied force in a three-point-bending test of laminated glass beam samples are derived. The first order shear deformation beam theory and a layer-wise type beam theory are applied. An expression for the transverse shear stiffness of the laminated glass beam is presented. The results for the maximum deflection are compared with the results discussed in the literature. Furthermore, a three-dimensional finite element analysis is performed to verify the applied beam theories. Three-point-bending tests for laminated glass beams with core layers from different polymeric materials are performed. The experimental data for the maximum deflection are compared with the derived expressions.     

复合材料层合板壳非线性力学的研究进展

复合材料层合板壳是由多种组分材料组合而成.与单一材料的板壳结构相比,它无明确的材料主方向,各层间材料间断和不连续,具有明显的几何非线性和材料非线性等新的特点.其失效模式也远比单一材料的情况复杂,具有如基体开裂、脱胶、分层、分层裂纹偏转、多分层以及分层传播等多种模式.各国学者基于不同的考虑,提出了多种方法研究复合材料层合板壳的失效.首先,在简要介绍了层合板壳线性力学基本理论的基础上,重点回顾了层合板壳结构非线性力学几种基本理论发展的过程,主要阐述了经典大挠度非线性理论、一阶剪切变形理论、高阶剪切变形理论、锯齿理论、广义分层理论的理论体系及基本公式,并对几种理论之间的联系和差异进行了总结;其次,介绍了当前层合结构非线性领域的研究进展,综述了典型复合材料板壳结构的失效机理及优化设计、复合材料板壳结构在复杂环境下的破坏机理、复合材料板壳结构的物理非线性、含脱层纤维增强复合材料板壳结构的破坏机理等各研究热点的最新研究成果;最后,对该领域未来的研究方向进行了展望.     

Solution of the problem on the dynamic deformation of laminated flat structures

A technique for design of laminated flat structures under dynamic loads is developed based on the solution of the equations of the three-dimensional theory of elasticity. The harmonic vibrations of structures at the first three natural frequencies are considered with allowance for damping. The results presented may be considered as reference in developing applied models of laminated structures. Ukrainian Transport University, Kiev. Translated from Prikladnaya Mekhanika, Vol. 36, No. 4, pp. 114–119, April, 2000.     

A general vibration model of angle-ply laminated plates that accounts for the continuity of interlaminar stresses

This paper presents the generalisation of a well documented two-dimensional shear deformable laminated shell theory [Compos. Struct. 25 (1993) 165] that, based on a fixed number of unknown variables, was initially proposed for laminates made of specially orthotropic layers only. The theory is here specialised for laminated plates but is able to encompass monoclinic layers in a general multilayered configuration. Moreover, it is able to account for the interlaminar continuity of both displacements and transverse shear stresses. Higher-order effects, as shear deformation and rotary inertia, are naturally included into the formulation. In order to obtain the relevant governing differential equations, both Hamilton's variational principle and a recently proposed vectorial approach [Compos. Engng. 3 (1993) 3] have been independently used. The effectiveness of the present model is tested numerically by comparing its results with exact three-dimensional elasticity results obtained under the particular condition that the plates vibrate in cylindrical bending.     

新修正偶应力理论Reddy型层合板稳定分析

基于新修正偶应力理论建立了一个Reddy型复合材料层合板稳定性模型。该理论中曲率张量不对称,而偶应力矩张量对称。Reddy型层合板模型能够满足横向剪切应力为0的自由表面条件,而且横向剪切为二次函数,避免了常剪力一阶理论需要引入的剪力修正系数。为了便于工程应用,通过虚功原理推导了只含纤维材料尺度参数正交铺设的Reddy型层合板偶应力模型的稳定性方程,并以微尺度正交铺设四边简支层合方板为例,分析了不同铺设角和轴向载荷作用时临界载荷的细观尺度效应,并且与一阶剪切变形和Kirchhoff板理论结果对比。结果表明,本文建立的新修正偶应力Reddy型层合板模型更适合分析较厚的复合材料层合板稳定性的尺度效应。     

复合材料厚梁精化锯齿理论及有限元分析

由于具有预先满足层间应力连续的优点,锯齿理论被广泛研究和应用。然而,至今锯齿理论仍然存在如下难题：基于锯齿理论构造单元时,需使用满足单元间C1连续的插值函数,难于构造多节点高阶单元,而且精度较低。如果这些问题不被重视和解决,应用此类理论分析复合材料力学问题可能得出不恰当的结论。通过发展高精度的考虑横法向应变的C0型锯齿理论,本文将克服已有锯齿理论遇到的上述难题。基于发展的锯齿理论,构造三节点梁单元验证发展理论模型的性能。     

Three-dimensional stability theory of deformable bodies. Stability of construction elements

Conclusion In [8, 9] and in the present paper we analyzed the possibilities of using the approximate approach [15, 18] in the three-dimensional stability theory of deformable bodies as applied to effects of internal and surface instability and to stability of thinwalled structural elements. The analysis mentioned has been performed by comparing for standard problems the results obtained by the approximate approach [15, 18] with the results for the similar problems, obtained within the three-dimensional linearized stability theory of deformable bodies (for example [2–5, 7, 10, 19]), constructed with the accuracy usually adopted in mechanics. The following conclusions are drawn as a result of the analysis.Applied to effects of internal and surface instability, the approximate approach leads to result in disagreement with the corresponding results of the three-dimensional linearized stability theory of deformable bodies.As applied to the study of stability of thin-walled structural elements, the use of the approximate approach is justified if we restrict ourselves to a calculational accuracy of critical loads corresponding to that of the Kirchhoff-Love hypothesis.In connection with the discussion above, numerous publications carried out on the basis of the approximate approach require further study to clarify the validity limits of the results obtained.Institute of Mechanics, Academy of Sciences of the Ukrainian SSR, Kiev. Translated from Prikladnaya Mekhanika, Vol. 22, No. 2, pp. 3–17, February, 1986.     

Determining the effective thermoelastic characteristics of regularly laminated composite in the asymmetric theory of elasticity

The asymmetric theory of elasticity is used to model a hybrid laminated composite of regular structure with all phases isotropic. The effective thermoelastic characteristics of the composite are determined. It is shown that the equations derived can be used to determine stress–strain state in all the phases of the composite using the average components of the tensors of force stresses, couple stresses, strains, and wryness in a layered material, which is of fundamental importance for the design of composites based on structural theories of failure     

Reliability analysis of FRP laminated plates with consideration of both initial imperfection and failure sequence

A probabilistic progressive failure analyzing method is applied to estimating the reliability of a simply supported laminated composite plate with an initial imperfection under bi-axial compression load. The initial imperfection and the strength parameters are considered as random variables. Ply-level failure probability is evaluated by the first order reliability method (FORM) together with the Tsai-Wu strength criterion and Tan criterion. Current stresses in the laminated structure are calculated by the classical lamination theory with the stiffness modified based on the last step ply failure. Probabilistically dominant ply-level failure sequences leading to overall system failure are identified, based on which the system failure probability is estimated. A numerical example is presented to demonstrate the methodology proposed. Through parameter studies it is shown that the deviation of the initial imperfection and some of the strength parameters largely influence the system reliability. Project supported by the Scientific Research Foundation for Returned Overseas Chinese Scholars, State Education Ministry, and the Research Foundation of Huazhong University of Science and Technology.     

The Micromechanics of Short-Term Damageability of Fibrolaminar Composites

A theory of microdamageability is constructed for fibrous laminated composites consisting of transversally isotropic fibers and a microdamaged isotropic porous binder. Microdamages in the binder are simulated by pores filled with compression-resisting particles of the destroyed material. Damage in a microvolume of the binder is described by the Schleicher–Nadai strength criterion, which allows for the difference between the ultimate tensile and compressive loads. The ultimate strength is a random function of coordinates with the Weibull distribution. The stress–strain state and effective characteristics of the material are determined by solving the stochastic equations of elastic theory for a fibrous laminated composite with a porous binder. The equations of deformation and microdamageability are closed by the equations of porosity balance in the binder. Nonlinear diagrams of the concurrent processes of deformation of the fibrous laminated material and microdamage of the matrix for various physical and geometrical parameters are constructed     

Delamination of laminated composite plates by p-convergent partial discrete-layer elements with VCCT

The simulation of the delamination process in laminated composite plates is quite complex and requires advanced finite element modeling techniques. Failure analysis tools must be able to predict initiation, size and propagation of delamination process. This paper presents the p-convergent partial discrete-layer elements with the virtual crack closure technique (VCCT) for the delamination analysis of laminated composite plates. The proposed element can be formulated by the suitable dimensional reduction from three-dimensional solid to two-dimensional plate. It is assumed that the piecewise linear variation of in-plane displacements and the constant value of out-of-plane displacements across the thickness. The higher-order approximation based on integrals of Legendre polynomials is used to define displacement fields. The three-dimensional VCCT is also slightly modified to incorporate with the proposed elements to estimate the energy release rate. The initiation of delamination occurs when the energy release rate for a displacement increment is same as the critical energy release rate corresponding to fracture toughness. The approach is to use a fracture mechanics criterion, but to avoid the complex moving mesh technique. At first, the validation and characteristic of the proposed elements are investigated on isotropic plates and orthotropic laminated plates, compared with referenced values. Then for fracture analysis, the efficiency of proposed approach is demonstrated with the help of additionally two problems such as the double-cantilever-beam test and the orthotropic laminated square plate with interior delamination.     

Three-dimensional theory of stability of a carbon nanotube in a matrix

The three-dimensional theory of stability of a carbon nanotube (CNT) in a polymer matrix is presented. The results are obtained on the basis of the three-dimensional linearized theory of stability of deformable bodies. Flexural and helical (torsional) buckling modes are considered. It is proved that the helical (torsional) buckling modes occur in a single CNT (the interaction of neighboring CNTs is neglected) and do not occur in nanocomposites (the interaction of neighboring CNTs is taken into account) __________ Translated from Prikladnaya Mekhanika, Vol. 42, No. 1, pp. 23–37, January 2006.     

Short-term microdamageability of a fibrous composite with physically nonlinear matrix and microdamaged reinforcement

A structural theory of short-term microdamage is proposed for a fibrous composite with physically nonlinear matrix and microdamaged reinforcement. The theory is based on the stochastic elasticity equations of a fibrous composite with porous fibers. Microvolumes of the fiber material are damaged in accordance with the Huber-Mises failure criterion. A balance equation for damaged microvolumes in the reinforcement is derived. This equation together with the equations relating macrostresses and macrostrains of a fibrous composite with porous reinforcement and physically nonlinear matrix constitute a closed-form system. This system describes the coupled processes of physically nonlinear deformation and microdamage that occur in different components of the composite. Algorithms are proposed for computing the dependences of microdamage on macrostrains and macrostresses on macrostrains. Uniaxial tension curves are plotted for a fibrous composite with a linearly hardening matrix __________ Translated from Prikladnaya Mekhanika, Vol. 42, No. 2, pp. 3–13, February 2006.     

Three-dimensional exact analysis of piezoelectric laminated plates via a sampling surfaces method

A paper focuses on the use of the efficient approach to three-dimensional (3D) exact solutions of electroelasticity for piezoelectric laminated plates. This approach is based on the new method of sampling surfaces (SaS) developed recently by the authors. We introduce inside the nth layer I_n not equally spaced SaS parallel to the middle surface of the plate and choose displacements of these surfaces as basic plate variables. Such an idea permits the representation of the proposed piezoelectric plate formulation in a very compact form. This fact gives the opportunity to derive the 3D exact solutions of electroelasticity for thick and thin piezoelectric laminated plates with a specified accuracy utilizing a sufficient number of SaS, which are located at interfaces and Chebyshev polynomial nodes.